Commercial Space Industry (New Space) News

Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX Starship Upper Stage Destroyed in Texas Static-Fire Explosion

SpaceX’s next Starship upper stage exploded in a static-fire test at its South Texas Starbase on June 18, destroying the prototype and prompting company engineers to investigate the “major anomaly.” While all personnel were safe, the accident stalls progress toward the 10th flight attempt.

2025-06-18T23:23:08.167767-07:00

Reuters

France’s Armed Forces and ESA Back Dassault’s VORTEX Reusable Spaceplane Demonstrator

2025-06-20T11:27:47.554987-07:00

Wall Street Journal

SpaceX Starship prototype destroyed in static-fire test

2025-06-20T02:39:32.840458-07:00

Spaceflight Now

Firefly Aerospace to Launch Ocula Commercial Lunar Imaging Service in 2026

2025-06-18T06:07:10.181698-07:00

Commercial Space Industry (New Space) News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Airbus Signals Progress in Space Unit Turnaround Amid Merger Talks Airbus executives say they’re making significant headway in reversing losses and operational issues in the company’s space business unit, even as the OEM explores a three-way merger with two strategic partners. Leadership aims to solidify capabilities and market position through consolidation.

2025-06-21T12:43:39.409455-07:00

Airbus Signals Progress in Space Unit Turnaround Amid Merger Talks

Reuters

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France’s Armed Forces and ESA Back Dassault’s VORTEX Reusable Spaceplane Demonstrator Dassault Aviation this week clinched dual endorsements for its VORTEX reusable spaceplane: France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces signed an agreement to back the demonstrator, while the European Space Agency formalised a Letter of Intent to collaborate on low-Earth orbit and orbital vehicle technologies.

2025-06-20T11:27:47.554987-07:00

France’s Armed Forces and ESA Back Dassault’s VORTEX Reusable Spaceplane Demonstrator

pmnewsnigeria.com

Owolabi Salis Begins Blue Origin Desert Camp Training Ahead of Suborbital Flight as First Nigerian Astronaut Chief Owolabi Salis, a U.S.-based lawyer and politician, has commenced training at Blue Origin’s desert camp in West Texas ahead of the New Shepard NS-33 suborbital flight scheduled for June 21, 2025. He is set to become the first Nigerian to journey into space.

2025-06-20T07:19:08.287842-07:00

Owolabi Salis Begins Blue Origin Desert Camp Training Ahead of Suborbital Flight as First Nigerian Astronaut

gouvernement.lu

Blue Origin picks Luxembourg for European office, signs space cooperation intent Blue Origin has chosen Luxembourg as the site for its European office, signing a declaration of intent with Minister Lex Delles to collaborate on space initiatives. The new office will serve as the company’s regional hub for partnerships, regulatory engagement and support of future European space activities.

2025-06-20T07:17:11.537548-07:00

Blue Origin picks Luxembourg for European office, signs space cooperation intent

themoscowtimes.com

Russia Plans First Rassvet Satellite Internet Launch to Challenge Starlink Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov said the agency will send 16 Bureau 1440-built Rassvet low-Earth orbit satellites by year-end to offer global broadband connectivity akin to Starlink, marking Russia’s strategic push into the satellite internet market amid rising geopolitical competition.

2025-06-20T07:16:39.811097-07:00

Russia Plans First Rassvet Satellite Internet Launch to Challenge Starlink

DefenseNews.com

France backs €1.6 billion Eutelsat capital raise to bolster OneWeb against Starlink France will inject €700 million into Eutelsat and support a €1.6 billion capital raise, boosting shares 14% as President Macron seeks to shore up Europe’s satellite independence and accelerate OneWeb’s LEO rollout to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink.

2025-06-20T05:51:45.150791-07:00

France backs €1.6 billion Eutelsat capital raise to bolster OneWeb against Starlink

Wall Street Journal

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SpaceX Starship prototype destroyed in static-fire test SpaceX’s next Starship prototype, Ship 36, was destroyed Wednesday night at its South Texas Starbase during a static-fire test. The vehicle suffered a major anomaly and exploded in a fireball while loading liquid methane and oxygen for its tenth flight attempt; all personnel were safe.

2025-06-20T02:39:32.840458-07:00

SpaceX Starship prototype destroyed in static-fire test

SpaceNews.com

Landspace completes nine-engine static-fire test of reusable Zhuque-3 rocket Chinese launch startup Landspace has conducted a nine-engine static fire test of the reusable Zhuque-3 orbital launcher at its engine test complex, marking a critical milestone ahead of its first orbital mission and underscoring rapid progress in China’s emerging private space industry.

2025-06-20T02:13:26.352116-07:00

Landspace completes nine-engine static-fire test of reusable Zhuque-3 rocket

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